Tools stock junkies can't get through a day without

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A day in the life of a day trader

There are a plethora of do-it-yourself investors that have spurned the traditional model of using financial advisors to steer their portfolios. Many have successfully profited from stocks. Their secret? The only one that matters in the market: being in the right trade at the right time, over and over again.

In a world of high-speed trading and institutional algorithms dominating the daily market volume, you can't execute a winning market strategy on your own without an assist from technology. Do-it-yourself traders that have had success say that from year to year, their market fortunes may vary, but staying ahead over the long term requires using online tools that give them an edge over many individual investors.

Here's a look at some of the best investing sites—from novel stock valuation forecasting to data visualization and the ability to design your own investment funds.